PERFECTion on the high seas – Cape Cod Times (subscription)

Steve Derderian

NANTUCKET Kelly Smith and John Morley didn't know each other when they were both at boot camp while training for the U.S. Navy in California.

They certainly didn't know then that almost 10 years later, despite both losing one of their arms, they'd be reunited when they were invited to ride on one of the over 200 boats competing Saturday in the 46th annual Figawi Charity Race from Hyannis to Nantucket.

Corpsman Smith, who also brought along her service dog Cook, a 2-year-old golden retriever, joined chief petty officer Morley, five-year Air Force veteran Heather MacLeod and Army Sgt. Jason Johns as former military members in their first Figawis among the 20 on the 49-inch Jeanneau D/S Perfect Summer, led by captain Bob Solomon.

For four years now Solomon has brought wounded veterans who are connected with the organization Nantucket Holiday for Heroes.

"We did it the first year and it was incredible," said Solomon, who has competed in 26 straight Figawi races. "We got second place in our class. It was almost like a life-changer. I had never been next to people with prosthetics before."

Perfect Summer, which had two American flags flying between red, white and blue flags honoring deceased Chief petty officer Chris Kyle and deceased Marine Cpl. Nicholas G. Xiarhos, plus a Boston Strong flag, began its race just outside the Hyannis Yacht Club at 10:40 a.m. Though Solomon and his crew had to join other ships by retiring around 1 p.m. due to minimal winds, the boat motored past the finish at the entrance of Nantucket Harbor around 3:30 p.m.

Video: Highlights from Figawi race

Photo Gallery: 46th annual Figawi Charity Race

The ships were greeted on the Nantucket beaches, including one man waving a large American flag in the water, as the members on the ship sang the Marines' Hymn.

"That was outstanding," Johns said. "Having the beach lined with flags was fantastic."

Though, Solomon said since starting this tradition four years ago, the result has become secondary.

"Once we're really starting to race and it's a windy day, you know you can get a trophy," said Solomon, a UMass graduate. "All these things, when you cross the finish line, all that is gone. I'm next to people without legs, and I don't even notice. That was really the gift."

"Captain Bob doesn't care if we finish first or last," Johns added. "He's just honored to have us."

Johns, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin, spent 10 years in the army.

Johns' army unit was one of the first deployed to Iraq in 2003, and he said he lived in Arlington, Virginia, and could only watch the damage from a plane that crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

Morley, who retired from the Navy in 2008 and now works for the Semper Fi Fund, moved back to the New England area six years ago and was called in to respond after the Boston Marathon bombings.

In 2006, he lost his right arm when trying to disable an improvised explosive device in Northern Iraq. He said he only survived because the device "low ordered" when it detonated.

"It's the only reason I'm still alive today," said Morley, who took the helm when the boat left Hyannis. "My focus is to get back to the way I was."

Smith, who lives in Florida with her husband and joined Worcester native Daryl on Saturday, had a similar incident when her left arm was severely injured after a house exploded in Iraq and her unit was ambushed.

Smith survived but in 2013 had to have the arm amputated. The Organization Paws for Action donated Cook to the Smith family, helping pick things up and act as Kelly's other arm. He is named after Army Spc. Michael Cook, who was killed in action in 2011 in Fallujah, Iraq.

"It was the best way to reunite and just sit and talk," Smith, a 19-year service member, said of her first Figawi. "We're both doing things and able to be there with one another."

The Xiarhos family was also included, with several wearing either sweatshirts or shirts honoring his passing. Steve Xiarhos, who served during the Vietnam War, in his family also passed on buttons with Nick's face reading "Big Nick's Ride For The Cape Cod Fallen," and "Living the Dream," on the bottom.

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PERFECTion on the high seas - Cape Cod Times (subscription)